At exactly 6 PM on January 18, 2025, Nely and I left my home in Mintal, Davao City with excitement and a bit of nervousness in our chests. We hopped on a jeepney bound for Ulas, where our real journey began. From there, we boarded a bus heading to Digos City, with our sights set on Kapatagan. Along the way, we met up with our fellow ka-rampa, Blooming, who was just as eager to conquer Mt. Apo as we were. The road was quiet, and the night was slowly settling in. By the time we reached Culan in Kapatagan via tricycle, it was already past 9 PM. This was our designated homestay — a humble shelter and our final stop before taking on the mighty Mt. Apo.
Sleep was a luxury we never got to enjoy. We rested, yes, but our excitement was louder than our fatigue. Before midnight struck, we were already preparing for the climb. I was with my ever-adventurous ka-rampas, Blooming and Nely, our friendly and reliable tour guide, Remlar, and a solo joiner Lani who quickly blended with our group.
Trekking through the dark forest, our only lights were our headlamps. The silence of the night was broken only by the sound of our footsteps and the occasional laughter. We brought our baon (packed meals) for breakfast and lunch, included in the tour package, though food was the last thing on our minds at that moment. Around 3 AM, we arrived at Camp 1. There, we took a short rest and warmed ourselves with coffee, but the cold was biting and merciless. Rather than freezing in place, we chose to keep moving forward.
By 5 AM, just as we reached the foot of the boulders, the sunrise greeted us. Golden rays pierced through the darkness, casting a magical glow over the trail. The beauty and excitement were indescribable — we were really getting closer to the summit.
But the real challenge began at the boulders. It was a brutal stretch. The heat of the exposed trail, the steep climb, the sulfuric fumes, and the monstrous boulders pushed us to our limits. My legs felt like they were breaking with every step, but we paused now and then — not just to rest, but to eat breakfast and admire the raw, powerful beauty surrounding us.
Near 9 AM, we reached the crater. The wind was howling, the cold made me tremble, but the view — oh, the view — was breathtaking. A crystal-clear lake sat peacefully below, shimmering like ice under the sun. There, with nature’s masterpiece as our backdrop, we had our lunch.
After regaining strength, we pressed on to the Mother Peak. The final stretch was nearly vertical, like climbing a 90-degree wall. It was punishing, but my heart was full. When we finally reached the summit — the highest point in the Philippines — a moment of silence swept over me. The skies cleared just in time, giving us an unobstructed view of the majestic Mt. Apo in all its glory. It was truly a dream come true. Then slowly, fog began to roll in, wrapping the summit in a soft white blanket, as if heaven itself had descended upon us.
Before noon, we began our descent. It was still a challenge, but compared to the ascent, it felt more manageable. I even enjoyed hopping from one boulder to another like a child playing on giant rocks — despite the creeping muscle pain. I took my time on the way down, pacing with other climbers and sharing stories and laughter along the way.
By almost 5 PM, I finally reached the base, where a row of habal-habal drivers waited. I climbed on one and rode back to our homestay for ₱300. As soon as I arrived, I felt overwhelming relief and gratitude — I was alive, tired, sore, but very much alive. I treated myself to a warm cup of noodles that tasted like heaven in that moment.
I packed my things and waited for my ka-rampas to return. Despite the exhaustion, my heart was full. That climb was the hardest yet most fulfilling journey I’ve taken — a true test of endurance, spirit, and will.
By past 8 PM, we began our journey home. And before the clock struck midnight, I was finally back in my home sweet home—physically worn but spiritually full.
Breakdown of my Mt. Apo Day Tour Package:
Tour Package: Php 1,900.00
Breakfast and Lunch (Trail): Php 600.00
Dinner: Php 70.00
Homestay: Php 200.00
Other Expenses (Foods/Water): Php 200.00
Fare:
Residence to Ulas: Php 20.00
Ulas to Digos City: Php 240.00 (2-way)
Tricyle to Terminal (Bound to Kapatagan): Php 20.00
Tricycle to Culan: Php 400.00 (2-way)
Habal-habal: Php 300.00
Taxi (Ulas-Home): Php 120.00
Total: Php 4,070.00
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